CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2025–26 | NCERT
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CBSE CLASS 11 – ENGLISH CORE (NCERT) | SYLLABUS 2025–26
Class: XI
Subject: English Core
Board: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
📘 Question Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme (CBSE 2025–26)
Annual Examination (Theory): 80 Marks
Internal Assessment: 20 Marks
Total: 100 Marks
Question Paper Structure (80 Marks)
Section A: Reading Skills – 22 Marks
- Two unseen passages (discursive / factual / literary)
- MCQs and short-answer questions testing comprehension, inference, vocabulary, and interpretation
Section B: Writing Skills & Grammar – 18 Marks
- Creative Writing Tasks (short compositions, notices, posters, formal/informal writing)
- Grammar integrated through editing, transformation, and gap-filling tasks
Section C: Literature – 40 Marks
- Questions from prescribed textbooks
- Extract-based questions
- Short Answer (30–40 words) and Long Answer (120–150 words) questions
- Focus on theme, character, literary devices, tone, and critical appreciation
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
- Periodic Tests – 10 marks
- Creative Writing / Listening & Speaking Activities – 5 marks
- Portfolio (projects, book reviews, assignments) – 5 marks
Note: Emphasis is on reading comprehension, critical thinking, creative expression, and communicative competence.
📖 CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus (NCERT) – 2025–26
A. Hornbill – Textbook (Prose & Poetry)
| Unit | Chapter / Poem Title | Brief Summary / Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Prose | The Portrait of a Lady | Explores generational gap, changing values, and emotional bonding. |
| We’re Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together | Highlights courage, teamwork, and survival in extreme situations. | |
| Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues | Combines history and science to explore ancient Egyptian civilization. | |
| The Laburnum Top | Describes the interdependence of nature through vivid imagery. | |
| The Voice of the Rain | Personification of rain to explain nature’s cyclic processes. | |
| Childhood | Reflects on the loss of innocence and self-awareness. | |
| Father to Son | Explores emotional distance and generational conflict. |
| Poetry | A Photograph | Explores memory, loss, and passage of time. |
| | The Laburnum Top | Shows the vitality of nature and ecological balance. |
| | The Voice of the Rain | Highlights the continuity of life through nature. |
| | Childhood | Examines the transition from innocence to maturity. |
| | Father to Son | Deals with emotional alienation between generations. |
B. Snapshots – Supplementary Reader
| Unit | Chapter Title | Brief Summary / Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| I | The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Explores honesty, innocence, and cultural values. |
| II | The Address | Highlights emotional loss, memory, and human resilience after war. |
| III | Ranga’s Marriage | A humorous portrayal of tradition and social customs. |
| IV | Albert Einstein at School | Emphasizes individuality, creativity, and unconventional intelligence. |
| V | Mother’s Day | A light-hearted play highlighting gender roles and family dynamics. |
| VI | The Ghat of the Only World | A tribute to friendship, compassion, and acceptance of death. |
| VII | Birth | Highlights dedication, humanity, and professional ethics. |
| VIII | The Tale of Melon City | A satirical poem criticizing foolish governance and blind obedience. |
C. Grammar & Writing Skills (Integrated)
| Area | Topics Covered | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | Notices, posters, short compositions, descriptive and narrative tasks | Enhances clarity, organization, and creativity in writing. |
| Grammar | Tenses, modals, subject–verb agreement, editing, sentence transformation | Improves accuracy, fluency, and grammatical competence. |
✅ Key Highlights
- Fully aligned with NCERT textbooks and CBSE academic session 2025–26
- Balanced focus on reading, writing, grammar, and literature
- Encourages critical thinking, interpretation, and creative expression
🔍 Related Keyphrases CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2025–26
- NCERT Class 11 English Core Curriculum
- Class 11 English Core Exam Pattern CBSE
- CBSE Class 11 Hornbill and Snapshots
- Class 11 English Core Marking Scheme
